The effect of base concentration on titanium dioxide nanotubes properties synthesized by hydrothermal method

The transformation of titania to its nanomaterial form has gained significant interest due to its superior properties that are viable for many applications. Herein, Titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNT) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method from Degussa P25 precursor. Sodium hydroxide base concentration was varied from 5.00 M to 12.50 M at 1.25 M increments to study its effect on titanium dioxide nanotubes properties. The morphology, crystalline phase and surface area was analyzed using TEM, SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and BET. TNTs electrocatalytic activity was tested using a potentiostat. The 5.00 M base concentration results showed particle growth with insufficient transition to nanotubes morphology. TEM images show P25 transformation to well-defined nanotubes from 6.25 M to 10.00 M base concentrations. The BET results indicate that as the base concentration increased, the surface area of the TNT improved from 56.10 m2g−1 to an optimum 317.57 m2g−1 for 8.75 M TNT material. XRD and Raman results indicate that lower base concentrations (5.00 M to 7.50 M) do not affect the crystallinity of a nanomaterial. However, high base concentrations from 8.75 M show a gradual disappearance of catalytically active anatase phase at 2Ɵ degrees above 63.0°. TNT’s test as an anode material for potassium-ion battery application shows an irreversible reaction. That could be due to sluggish kinetics, poor conductivity, and passivation layer development. This study shows that TNTs with enhanced properties and well-defined nanotubes are attainable at lower base concentrations (6.25, 7.50 & 8.75 M) than the conventional 10.00 M using the one-step dynamic hydrothermal method.